New Kids on the Block

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Before there was One Direction or Backstreet Boys or *NSYNC, there was New Kids on the Block.

One of the bestselling groups of all time — they sold more than 80 million records worldwide – New Kids provided the archetype for boy bands manufactured during the ’90s pop explosion. The Boston quintet had all the right stuff: syrupy harmonies, dreamy looks and flashy dance moves. But the group started as a carbon copy.

In the early 1980s, R&B-pop outfit New Edition was launched out of Boston under the tutelage of producer-songwriter Maurice Starr. After becoming sensations, the group and Starr split. The producer quickly concocted a plan — applying the successful formula he used with New Edition to a white group. "I honestly believe that if they'd been white, [New Edition] would have been 20 times as big," Starr once told Entertainment Weekly.

The first recruit to New Kids on the Block was a then-15-year-old Donnie Wahlberg, who impressed with his showmanship and rapping ability. He recruited his best friend, Danny Wood, and schoolmate Jordan Knight, who brought older brother Jonathan Knight into the fold. Starr brought in a 12-year-old Joey McIntyre and began rehearsals after school and on weekends.

In 1986 the group issued its self-titled debut through Columbia. Produced and mostly written by Starr, the album’s set of bubblegum pop tunes failed to make any impact. Their 1988 follow-up, "Hangin’ Tough," featured more input from the group and the R&B ballad "Please Don’t Go Girl" finally got them radio attention. The hits kept coming with "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" and "I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)," and eventually the album went eight times platinum.

By 1990 New Kids were one of the biggest pop acts in the country. Merchandise sales were reportedly in the neighborhood of $400 million and they had one of the largest fan clubs in the U.S. (there was even a hotline).

But radio’s shift toward grunge rock and gangster rap during the ’90s led to a decline in sales for the group, who were often dismissed as a phony urban act there were accusations of Starr providing their vocals. The group split after Jonathan Knight departed in 1994.

After numerous failed attempts at a reunion the group began secretly recording together in 2007. In 2008 they issued "The Block," the first New Kids album in 14 years. The album featured collaborations with RedOne, Ne-Yo, Lady Gaga and even New Edition. The nostalgia for the group’s return made the album a smash.

The reunited group launched a world tour, an annual themed cruise and eventually teamed with Backstreet Boys for a successful joint tour in 2011. The group also toured with Boyz II Men and 98 Degrees in 2013, the year the group released the album "10."

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One thought about New Kids on the Block

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I have loved this band for almost as long as they have been a band. As the newest members of the walk of fame it would be a fitting tribute to all their hard work to get a bio page dedicated to their work done as soon as possible. I believe that they should have has a star long before now and am just sorry I did not have a part in getting that ball rolling. The way that they treat their fans it is no wonder that they are as successful as they are. They strive to make people happy and have never forgotten that without the fans, Family and friends they would not be where they are today. They not only see us as friends but family and that is why they are the best group around. They have been all around this world. They strive for excellence in all they do. In my opinion they achieve excellence in all they do.

”— Heather, October 9, 2014 at 9:04 p.m.

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